Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Mary in May

Mary had Jesus in her care for so many years – from the moment he was born until the moment he died. She was with Jesus in all these same moments that I am with my own boys – from watching him discover the Father’s creation to frantically searching when he was lost in the temple.

Part of what I love so much about Mary, about her role in our faith, is that she makes Jesus real to us. Regardless of whether you are raising boys or girls or not raising children at all, thinking about Mary’s relationship to Jesus is a reminder that he came to live on this earth – and that she was in charge of him. What a daunting task! But Mary answered the call – she raised God’s son, the boy sent to become a man and then die on a cross so that the rest of us could, with God’s grace, get into Heaven.

Some days, I feel overwhelmed by what God has asked me to do as a mother. He has put me in charge of these precious souls, and it’s my responsibility as their mother to teach them so many things. Some days I feel tired and run down and also (on particularly bad days) distracted and annoyed.

And then I think of Mary, and all the years she raised her boy. Her continual yes to the Father, on a daily basis, is what gives us the grace to do the same. She deserves so much more than a mere month. She deserves our devotion and gratitude.

True, May is the month dedicated to Mary. One Marian tradition is the pilgrimage. Of course, one can organize a BIG pilgrimage to a shrine dedicated to Our Lady (Lourdes, Fatima, maybe?). But you can also go on a small one but BIG in devotion. Organize with family or friends a pilgrimage: praying a part of the Holy Rosary toward the shrine (walking or riding, depends on the distance), praying the part of the day (with Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary) at the shrine, and then praying another set of mysteries away from the shrine.